Every animated Disney film, ranked by critics

Gabbi ShawAug 27, 2024, 00:05 IST

"The Little Mermaid" is iconic.Disney<ul class="summary-list"><li>Walt Disney Animation Studios originally started as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in 1923.</li><li>Since then, the studio has produced 54 fully animated, theatrically released films.</li></ul>Walt Disney Studios has come a long way since its inception in the 1920s, when two brothers, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walt-disney-facts-2017-12">Walt and Roy Disney</a>, began animating an impish <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-mickey-mouse-copyright-public-domain-lobbying-history-2023-12">mouse named Mickey</a>.Now, Disney is one of the largest movie studios on the planet and controls properties such as "<a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/star-wars">Star Wars,</a>" <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcu-movies-and-tv-series-ranked-by-critics-2022-6">Marvel</a>, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/every-a113-easter-egg-pixar-movies">Pixar</a>, "Planet of the Apes," and more.But first and foremost will always be Disney Animation. Since its first feature-length animated movie was theatrically released in 1937, Disney has been the gold standard for animated films.Business Insider used Rotten Tomatoes' critics scores to rank all 54 fully animated films — that means no "Fantasia," "Mary Poppins," or "Songs of the South," which have live-action components. This list also does not include movies like "A Goofy Movie" and "Return to Never Land," which were produced by a division of the company, Disney MovieToons.Here's how the animated Disney films stack up against each other.

Disney has two films tied for worst-reviewed. First up is 2003's "Brother Bear."

"Brother Bear" stars Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis, and Dave Thomas.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Two years later, "Chicken Little" was released to similarly poor reviews.

"Chicken Little" stars Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Dan Molina, Steve Zahn, and Amy Sedaris.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Wish" was released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Disney in 2023, but it doesn't seem destined to become a classic.

"Wish" stars Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, and Alan Tudyk.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

In 2001, Disney left behind princesses to make a film more geared towards boys: "Atlantis: The Lost Empire."

"Atlantis" stars Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer, and Don Novello.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Upon its release in 2005, "Home on the Range" was Disney's last traditionally animated film for five years.

"Home on the Range" stars Roseanne Barr, Jennifer Tilly, Judi Dench, and Cuba Gooding Jr.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Oliver & Company," released in 1988, will always be known as the Disney film starring Billy Joel.

"Oliver & Company" stars Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Pocahontas" was controversial upon its release in 1995, and it remains so today.

"Pocahontas" stars Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers, and Christian Bale.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

The 1985 film "The Black Cauldron" is only now remembered for its terrifying villain, the Horned King.

"The Black Cauldron" stars Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, and John Hurt.Buena Vista Distribution

The 1973 adaptation of "Robin Hood" turned the characters into animals.

"Robin Hood" stars Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, and Roger Miller.Buena Vista Distribution

"The Aristocats" was released in 1970 to middling reviews.

"The Aristocats" stars Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Gary Dubin, Liz English, Dean Clark, and Scatman Crothers.Buena Vista Distribution

"Dinosaur," released in 2000, was the first 3D animated film released by Disney.

"Dinosaur" stars DB Sweeney, Alfre Woodard, Ossie Davis, Max Casella, and Hayden Panettiere.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Disney's 1963 film "The Sword in the Stone" is a straightforward retelling of the legend of King Arthur.

"The Sword in the Stone" stars Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson, and Rickie Sorensen.Buena Vista Distribution

"Meet the Robinsons" was released in 2007.

"Meet the Robinsons" stars Jordan Fry, Daniel Hansen, Tom Selleck, Wesley Singerman, Stephen Anderson, Angela Bassett, Adam West, and Laurie Metcalf.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Treasure Planet" (2002) is based on the 1883 novel "Treasure Island."

"Treasure Island" stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brian Murray, David Hyde Pierce, Emma Thompson, and Martin Short.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"The Rescuers Down Under," released in 1990, was the first sequel released theatrically by Disney.

"The Rescuers Down Under" stars Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, John Candy, Adam Ryen, and Frank Welker.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996) is one of the darkest Disney films to date.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" stars Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, and Kevin Kline.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Strange World" became one of Disney's biggest flops upon its release in 2022.

"Strange Worlds" stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union, and Lucy Liu.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"The Fox and the Hound" was released in 1981.

"The Fox and the Hound" stars Mickey Rooney, Keith Mitchell, Corey Feldman, and Kurt Russell.Buena Vista Distribution

2019's "Frozen II" continues the story of sisters Elsa and Anna.

"Frozen II" stars Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Sterling K. Brown, and Evan Rachel Wood.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"Peter Pan" was released in 1953, which means that not everything about it has aged well.

"Peter Pan" stars Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, and Bill Thompson.RKO Radio Pictures

"The Great Mouse Detective" (1992) is based on the stories of Sherlock Holmes.

"The Great Mouse Detective" stars Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, and Val Bettin.Buena Vista Distribution

"The Rescuers" is another story about lovable mice.

"The Rescuers" stars Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, and Geraldine Page.Buena Vista Distribution

The 1997 film "Hercules" is a hilarious mish-mash of Greek mythology and pop culture.

"Hercules" stars Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan, and Rip Torn.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Alice in Wonderland," released in 1951, is the most psychedelic film in the Disney canon.

"Alice in Wonderland" stars Kathryn Beaumont, Ed Wynn, Richard Haydn, and Sterling Holloway.RKO Radio Pictures

"The Princess and the Frog" is the second-to-last traditionally animated Disney film. It was released in 2009.

"The Princess and the Frog" stars Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Oprah Winfrey, and John Goodman.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"Mulan" (1998) is based on a Chinese legend.

"Mulan" stars Ming-Na Wen, Lea Salonga, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, and Harvey Fierstein.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"The Emperor's New Groove," released in 2000, is a straight-up comedy.

"The Emperor's New Groove" stars David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, and Patrick Warburton.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

No one expected 2002's "Lilo & Stitch" to be the hit it was.

"Lilo & Stitch" stars Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee, Kevin McDonald, and Ving Rhames.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

2012's "Wreck-It Ralph" proves that just because you're a villain doesn't mean you have to be a bad guy.

"Wreck-It Ralph" stars John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, and Alan Tudyk.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" was released 75 years ago in 1949.

"The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" stars Bing Crosby, Basil Rathbone, Eric Blore, and J. Pat O'Malley.Walt Disney Productions

"The Jungle Book" was released in 1967.

"The Jungle Book" stars Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima, George Sanders, and Sterling Holloway.Buena Vista Distribution

"Ralph Breaks the Internet" was ruled an improvement on "Wreck-It Ralph" when it came out in 2018.

"Wreck-It Ralph" stars John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Disney released "Tarzan" in 1999, its last animated film of the 20th century.

"Tarzan" stars Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close, Rosie O'Donnell, and Wayne Knight.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Tangled" was Disney's 50th animated film. It was released in 2010.

"Tangled" stars Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"Frozen" became a full-blown phenomenon back in 2013.

"Frozen" stars Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Santino Fontana.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

But sometimes critics just want true love's kiss, like in 1959's "Sleeping Beauty."

"Sleeping Beauty" stars Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Barbara Luddy, and Barbara Jo Allen.Buena Vista Distribution

You might be surprised to find 2008's "Bolt" this high.

"Bolt" stars Miley Cyrus, John Travolta, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, and Malcolm McDowell.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Thirty-two years after Winnie the Pooh made his big screen debut, he returned in 2011's "Winnie the Pooh."

"Winnie the Pooh" stars Jim Cummings, Travis Oates, Bud Luckey, Huell Howser, Tom Kenny, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Wyatt Dean Hall, Craig Ferguson, and John Cleese.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

There's a scene in 1942's "Bambi" that's still traumatizing 82 years later.

"Bambi" stars Donnie Dunagan, Peter Behn, Paula Winslowe, and Stan Alexander.RKO Radio Pictures

"The Little Mermaid" marked the beginning of the Disney Renaissance in 1989.

"The Little Mermaid" stars Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Kenneth Mars, and Samuel E. Wright.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Disney's 2021 offering "Encanto" has the same critics score.

"Encanto" stars Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"The Lion King," released in 1994, remains the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time.

"The Lion King" stars Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, and Moira Kelly.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Lady and the Tramp" produced one of the most iconic scenes in Disney history when it came out in 1955.

"Lady and the Tramp" stars Peggy Lee, Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, and Bill Thompson.Buena Vista Film Distribution

"Raya and the Last Dragon" was released in 2021.

"Raya and the Last Dragon" stars Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, and Daniel Dae Kim.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"Beauty and the Beast" was nominated for best picture at the 1992 Oscars, a first for any animated film.

"Beauty and the Beast" stars Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, and Angela Lansbury.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

The 1941 film "Dumbo" is the first of three films with a 95% critics score.

"Dumbo" stars Edward Brophy, Verna Felton, Cliff Edwards, and Sterling Holloway.RKO Radio Pictures

The 1992 film "Aladdin" is tied with a 95%.

"Aladdin" stars Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Lea Salonga, Jonathan Freeman, and Gilbert Gottfried.Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

2016's "Moana" is the third and final film tied with a 95%.

"Moana" stars Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, and Jemaine Clement.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was the first feature film released by Disney. It premiered in 1937.

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" stars Adriana Caselotti, Lucille La Verne, Roy Atwell, and Moroni Olsen.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

But the top-rated Disney princess is Cinderella, the star of 1950's "Cinderella."

"Cinderella" stars Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Rhoda Williams, Lucille Bliss, and James MacDonald.RKO Radio Pictures

"One Hundred and One Dalmatians," which premiered in 1961, is tied for third place.

"One Hundred and One Dalmatians" stars Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Gerson, Ben Wright, and Lisa Davis.Buena Vista Distribution

2016's "Zootopia" also has a 98%.

"Zootopia" stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, and Bonnie Hunt.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Two films are tied for the top spot, with 100% ratings. First is 1977's "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh."

"The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" stars Sterling Holloway, John Fiedler, Ralph Wright, and Paul Winchell.Buena Vista Distribution

The other top-rated film is "Pinocchio," released in 1940 and only Disney's second film.

"Pinocchio" stars Dick Jones, Cliff Edwards, Christian Rub, Clarence Nash, and Evelyn Venable.RKO Radio Pictures

Inside Taylor Swift's $17 million Rhode Island mansion where she hosts parties for her A-list friends

Cookies on the Business Insider India website